The Unchanging Hand
And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city. ~Genesis 19:16
One of the most powerful phrases in Scripture is where Isaiah says repeatedly, “His hand is stretched out still.” The hand of God speaks of His strength, involvement, power, and omnipotence. The very fingers of God speak of His greatness in Creation, the giving of the Ten Commandments, the writing on the wall in Daniel 5, and the writing in the sand in John 8. Through the course of time, God’s hand has been faithful, firm, and phenomenal. Would you consider some stimulating thoughts about the unchanging hand of God?
There is the compassion in God’s hand.
In Matthew 9:23-25, Jesus was requested to come to the house of a ruler of the synagogue. His daughter had an illness that eventually took her life away. When Jesus arrived at the home, the professional mourners were already mourning her passing. These skeptics laughed and scorned Jesus at the very thought that He indicated that she was not dead. We are told, “But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.” The compassion of the Lord was seen as He took her by the hand and raised her up. Spiritually dead people need a hand of compassion to raise them up and give them life. They need the only person who cares for them to touch them in their time of need. The touch of Jesus pulsated with love for this little girl. What the world could not give her, God’s hand more than adequately met her need. God’s hand is a hand of compassion.
There is the coercion in God’s hand.
In Genesis 19, we have the account of two angels being sent to the wicked city of Sodom to rescue Lot and his family from the coming judgment. Lot and his family had become accustomed to the wickedness in that city. The angels told him to gather his family – sons, daughters, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law – and to follow them out. However, we are told that Lot lingered. Lot had second thoughts and regrets about leaving. He thought about his success and all the worldly accumulations that he had in Sodom more than he did about his family's safety. We are told that “the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him.” God knew that Lot was weighing in his mind whether to stay longer or to leave. The Lord laid hold of him or coerced him to leave. There are times when God in His mercy must take our hand by force and lead us into the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. God coercing Lot was in direct answer to Abraham’s prayer request and God being merciful to worldly Lot.
There is the cooperation with God’s hand.
In 2 Chronicles 30:8, Hezekiah issued a challenge to the Jews and their leaders when he said, “Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.” The phrase “yield yourselves unto the LORD” literally means “give your hand to God.” God desires that we are in full cooperation with Him. His hand is always open to us and unchanging. It is our responsibility to give our hand to Him and give undivided cooperation to the will and work of God.
This morning, let us hold to God’s unchanging hand. It begins with salvation. In John 10:28, Jesus promises that He gives us eternal life, and no man shall pluck us out of the Father’s hand. Trust the Lord for your life, and hold tightly the almighty hand that will never fail you.
Have a secure God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Kings 15-17